Acts 14:8-20
Intro Questions
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
8Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he
sprang up and began walking. 11And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their
voices, saying
in Lycaonian, “The gods have come
down to us in the likeness of men!” 12Barnabas
they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice
with the crowds. 14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their
garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15“Men, why
are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these
vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16In past generations he
allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food
and gladness.” 18Even with these words they
scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Paul Stoned at Lystra
19But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20But when the disciples gathered
about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he
went on with Barnabas to Derbe. - God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What was religious life like in Lystra? What was the cultural setting for the citizens of Lystra and Derbe? Why was this important to their reaction to the miracle of verse 10 and the crowd’s reaction in verses 11-13? Compare Acts 14:8-13 with 3:1-11. How are the two stories alike and different? What results from each healing?
- How do you understand Barnabas to have been an “apostle” (v. 14)? How rigid and precise are biblical terms of this nature? Explain.
- What does Paul emphasize about God in his speech? How is his speech to this crowd in Acts 14:15-17 different from his previous sermon in the synagogue (see 13:17-41)? Why the difference?
- Thinking of Paul’s stoning in verse 19, what form is suffering for Christ most likely to take in your life? What would you be willing to endure as suffering for Jesus’ sake?
- What does 14:19-20 tell you about Paul’s character?
- What must Paul have felt as he was being stoned?
- How could poor Paul, left for dead by the mob, suddenly spring up and offer consolation and organizational advice to the followers who found him?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What does the difference between Paul's sermon (13:17-41) and his speech in Acts 14:15-17 teach you about sharing your faith with various groups of people?
- The people Paul and Barnabas encountered along the way interpreted the Gospel through their own lenses, even calling them Hermes and Zeus. How do people you know interpret the Gospel by their own prejudices and beliefs?
- What was one of the biggest misunderstandings about Christianity you had to overcome before you could believe?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
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